News

The Brothers of the Sun Tour, the country stadium outtng featuring Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and opening act Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, came to a close this weekend. The massive summer tour climaxed with shows at Foxborough, MA’s Gillette Stadium on Friday and Saturday. In total, the 111,209 tickets sold for the two shows made the stop what Gillette Stadium’s Vice President of External Affairs Dan Murphy called “a record for the biggest country music event in New England history”

On Saturday, Potter’s set included “Ah Mary,” new single “Stars,” “Paris” and “Medicine” along with covers of Heart’s “Crazy on You” and the Joan Jett & The Blackhearts hit “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” The show fell on both Nocturnals guitarist Scott Tournet’s birthday and drummer Matt Burr’s parents’ 50th anniversary. In celebration, the group brought the Burrs onstage at the end of their set. Nodding to their New England roots, Tournet wore a Patriots jersey throughout his set and Potter wore a Patriots jersey for one song before throwing it into the crowd.

Later in the night, McGraw took the stage wearing a Grace Potter & the Nocturnals shirt—the first time he has done so all tour—and Chesney invited Potter our to sing on their hit duet, “You and Tequila.” Potter also remained onstage for the debut of “El Cerrito Place,” a song from Chesney’s new album. Then, Potter handed Chesney one of her Signature Gibson Flying V guitar that she has painted for him herself.

At the end of the Chesney’s show-closing set, Potter, McGraw and the Nocturnals returned for a sing-along version of “Running on Empty.” All the bands and their crew members then took one final bow.

During the show, Potter also confirmed that she will headline Boston’s House of Blues on November 30 and December 1.

Comments

There are 11 comments associated with this post

Playin_Dead August 27, 2012, 22:11:21

Furthest thing from “jam band news” you can get, pretty much. What a disaster.
Over a hundred thousand braindeads packed into this? Jeeezus.

G August 28, 2012, 09:01:45

A former Best New Groove winner from the Jammy awards comes close to worldwide superstardom on a mainstream level. Most of their fellow Nominees at the Jammy awards are broken up. Thats amazing news that an artist that got their initial exposure through the jamband scene has gone on to such amazing heights. They worked their asses off to get their too. Many years on the road playing small venues. Right on, keep up the good work Jambands.com

Doug S. August 28, 2012, 12:17:50

Sold their souls along the way. Grace will be set with money, but not respect. But its her journey, so if that’s what makes her happy, then good for her.

todd August 28, 2012, 13:14:05

She has not even sold 50 thousand copies of her new cd so how is she some huge star now? She is playing slightly bigger venues than last year and even she has acknowledged that going on this tour was probably questionable move and there is little to no evidence that it gave her any popularity bump.

Chucky cheese string August 28, 2012, 13:31:16

But she has good legs…..

kip August 28, 2012, 13:32:18

Her new album blows, it sound like a disco album from the late 70s. To play with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw is a joke. These are 2 of the many who have ruined country music. If she wants to gain back a little respect she should do something with the likes of Steve Earle or Hayes Carll. What used to be called good country music is now called Americana. The movie Urban Cowboy ruined country music forever, now all of the top 40 country sounds like The Eagles or Linda Ronstandt or Fleetwood Mac. Did see her on UnPlugged and man is she hot, I’ll give her that!

Chucky cheese string August 28, 2012, 14:29:24

We all work to make $$$. Artists included. Who cares who she tours with. She could tour with Kenny ROGERS and Tiny Tim for all I care. She was able to perform in front of over 100K people in two days that may or may not have ever heard of her. Who wouldn’t do that?? How many of those people go out this week and buy her CD’s? Don’t be above this working for $$ crap. She sold her soul crap. Take a step back and understand WTF goes on when people WORK for a living – no matter the profession!!

g August 28, 2012, 14:38:20

Grace never sold her soul. She embraced opportunities that one in a million people have the chance to enjoy. Let me add, one of the coolest musicians I have EVER had a chance to hang out with. Getting to know her a few years back makes me even happier to see the band get opportunities like these. She epitomizes awesome.
Let me add that while the majority is cheese, some of Linda Rondstadt’s 1970s work is awesome…. Hers is a voice that will live for the ages.

danmud August 28, 2012, 18:28:20

Grace has paid dues – played MANY dives and worked it to get to where she is. Yeah, playing with today’s country “stars” is not considered cool with the Jam crowd, but she’s a great live act taking it to the people. Go see her in the fall when she is on her own tour – she brings it. CD sales? How many bands featured on Jambands sell millions? I thought it was about the live experience…

Ed Rosenblatt September 4, 2012, 16:15:42

Grace and the Nocs are freaking awesome!
“Sold their souls” I say Bullshizzz!
They paid their dues long ago, and now are enjoying some time in the hot spotlight!
And as for the poster who said their new album blows, you have to be kidding me!!!
Have you even listened to it??? Three of the tracks were co-written, and the whole project was produced and has Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys’ fingerprints all over it.
The Lion The Beast The Beat, is a great album, from start to finish. I simply do not get the 1970’s reference???

maumee September 11, 2012, 18:39:39

The jam band “purists” who claim Grace sold out are lost in their own little jam band world. What did she “sell out” from? The “jam band” scene?! That, and $1, might buy you a cup of coffee as a performer. The “jam band” crowd isn’t large enough to command loyalty from anyone, and never supported her anyway. GPN toured, faithfully, year after year, and was lucky to even break even most tours. Did all you “sell out” critics attend all of her shows, loyally, when she was in town? And do you own all of her CDs (purchased, not stolen)? Unless you answered “yes” to both questions, your opinions are just so much hot air out the old tail pipe, heh?